환구시보 사설에 드러난 한국 ‘態度’ 비판적 담화분석: ‘당당한 외교’ 對 ‘不卑不亢的外交’

Abstract

This study conducted a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the contextual indications of the lexeme, ‘attitude’ in Korea-related Global Times editorials published from 2022 to the first half of 2023. A total of 10 editorials were collected as the core data for the analysis, including four editorials mentioning Korea’s ‘attitude’ in 2022, three editorials mentioning US-China’s ‘attitude’ towards Korea in 2023, and three editorials mentioning Korea’s ‘attitude.’ The research question was to explore the hidden meaning constructions of the editorials through the linguistic device of ‘attitude,’ by describing the first dimensional textual practices and interpreting the second dimensional discourse practices based upon the critical discourse analysis method. The research findings include first that, the referent of ‘attitude’ in the four editorials of 2022 was the same: pragmatic and rational attitude. The intention of this ‘attitude’ is that Korea should stay close to China, see economic benefits, and distance itself from the United States. Second, the editorial referring to the ‘attitude’ of the United States in 2023 is intended to divide South Korea and the United States into ‘us’ and ‘them’ and to make South Korea listen to China by criticizing its attitude. The editorials referring to China's ‘attitude’ in 2023 are ostensibly positive in terms of cold and rationality, but in reality, the cold and rationality they refer to means giving back to South Korea what it has received. Third, South Korea’s ‘attitude’ in the 2023 editorial is framed as ‘the current government’s favorable discharge of polluted water’ versus ‘the previous government's resolute opposition to the discharge of polluted water,’ ‘confident diplomacy’ versus ‘neither submissive nor arrogant diplomacy,’ and ‘Korean-Chinese friendliness’ versus ‘friendly gesture.’ It divides Korea and the U.S. and Japan, divides ‘us’ and ‘them,’ and demands that Korea changes its attitude to return to China.